679th Tank Destroyer Battalion (AA)

Unit History: Activated on 26 June, 1943, at Camp Hood, Texas, as one of several battalions with black enlisted personnel and mostly white officers. It also has the distinction of being the last tank destroyer battalion to be activated. Converted to a towed battalion on 14 July, 1943. Disembarked at Le Havre, France, on 21 January, 1945, then re-embarked at Marseilles on 1 March for transfer to Italy. Entered the line in IV Corps sector on 17 March. Supported assault on La Spezia in April and advanced to Genoa by early May. Attached to: 92d Infantry Division. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.